Reconfigurable vehicle display

Abstract

A reconfigurable display of a vehicle is provided. The display includes an input arrangement to receive configuration information from at least one user; a processing arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the input arrangement to process the configuration information; and a display arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the processing arrangement. The processing arrangement is configured to cause the display arrangement to display at least one characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with profile information assigned to a selected profile of a plurality of profiles.

1 . A reconfigurable display of a vehicle, comprising: 
 an input arrangement to receive configuration information from at least one user;    a processing arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the input arrangement to process the configuration information; and    a display arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the processing arrangement;    wherein the processing arrangement is configured to display at least one characteristic of the vehicle via the display arrangement in accordance with profile information assigned to a selected profile of a plurality of profiles.    
   
   
       2 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the processing arrangement includes a microprocessor to receive the configuration information from the input arrangement, a memory arrangement to store a software program to be executed on the microprocessor, and a display driver electrically and communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and configured to format display information generated by microprocessor so that the display information may be suitably displayed on the display arrangement.  
   
   
       3 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 2 , wherein the microprocessor receives electronic signals from associated vehicle sensors, the electronic signals characterizing associated displayable vehicle characteristics, the processing arrangement being configured to display the at least one characteristic of the vehicle via the display arrangement in accordance with the electronic signals.  
   
   
       4 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 3 , wherein the electronic signals include at least one of a signal characterizing a speed of the vehicle, a signal characterizing revolutions per minute (RPM) of an engine, a signal characterizing a temperature of the engine, a signal characterizing a temperature of ambient air inside a driving compartment, a signal characterizing a temperature of air outside the vehicle, a signal characterizing humidity, a signal characterizing oil pressure, a signal characterizing a gasoline level, a signal characterizing a turn directional, a signal characterizing radio station information, a signal characterizing cruise control information, a signal characterizing headlight status information, and a signal characterizing an electronic map in relation to a geographical position of the vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the selected profile of the plurality of profiles is selected automatically.  
   
   
       6 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 5 , wherein the selected profile of the plurality of profiles is automatically selected when the user selects a custom preset for at least one vehicle characteristic.  
   
   
       7 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 5 , wherein the selected profile of the plurality of profiles is selected by detecting the presence of at least one transponder.  
   
   
       8 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 5 , wherein the selected profile of the plurality of profiles is selected via user identification arrangements situated in the vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 8 , wherein the user identification arrangements include at least one weight sensor situated in an associated seat of the vehicle, the weight sensor generating an electrical signal characterizing a weight of an occupant of a vehicle seat.  
   
   
       10 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the profile information includes information characterizing what data concerning the vehicle is to be displayed to the user via the display arrangement, and the profile information characterizes how and where the data concerning the vehicle is to be displayed via the display arrangement.  
   
   
       11 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 10 , wherein the processing arrangement permits the user to vary a display format of the data concerning the vehicle.  
   
   
       12 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 11 , wherein the data concerning the vehicle includes at least one of speed of the vehicle, revolutions per minute (RPM) of an engine, temperature of the engine, temperature of ambient air inside a driving compartment, temperature of air outside the vehicle, humidity information, oil pressure, gasoline level, turn directional, radio station information, cruise control information, headlight status, and an electronic map in relation to a geographical position of the vehicle.  
   
   
       13 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the processing arrangement permits the profile information associated with at least one of the plurality of profiles to be edited by the user.  
   
   
       14 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the processing arrangement may be caused to enter a profile management mode to permit at least one authorized user to at least one of add profiles, to delete profiles, and to change access permissions of the profiles.  
   
   
       15 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the vehicle is displayed in accordance with at least one of an operating state of the vehicle and an occurrence of an event  
   
   
       16 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 15 , wherein each of the profiles includes a plurality of sub-profiles, each of the sub-profiles being assigned to a respective operating state of the vehicle, the at least one characteristic of the vehicle being displayed in accordance with information of the sub-profile assigned to a current operating state of the vehicle.  
   
   
       17 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 17 , wherein the event includes at least one of a particular time, a particular duration of time, a particular month, and a particular season.  
   
   
       18 . The reconfigurable display of  claim 1 , wherein the processing arrangement includes a data interface arrangement configured to retrieve update information from an external computer, the update information configured to update a software program stored in the processing arrangement.  
   
   
       19 . A reconfigurable display arrangement of a vehicle, comprising: 
 means for receiving configuration information from at least one user;    means for processing the configuration information; and    means for displaying at least one characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with information assigned to a selected profile of a plurality of profiles.    
   
   
       20 . A vehicle, comprising: 
 a passenger cabin to receive at least one passenger; and    a reconfigurable display arrangement of a vehicle, including an input arrangement to receive configuration information from at least one user; a processing arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the input arrangement to process the configuration information;    and a display arrangement electrically and communicatively coupled to the processing arrangement; wherein the processing arrangement is configured to cause the display arrangement to display at least one characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with profile information assigned to a selected profile of a plurality of profiles.